The Torvern Range
The Torvern Range is the northern most mountain chain on Ediacara, and is a natural border between the harsh lands of Sibrun with the great plains and forests of Zetrea and Ulmera respectively. Dense pine forests race up the slopes of the Torverns, before they thin out, unable to keep pace with great heights of the mountains. Mighty glaciers and ice fields flow down from the peaks, carving deep valleys and feeding teal coloured lakes which nurture the pine forests bellow the treeline.
Countless tiny hamlets and villages dot the range, providing warmth and protection against the mountain’s quickly changing weather, and the beasts who also call the Torvern’s home.
Major Settlements
Menderton, The City of Gears
Located within the hollowed interior of Mount Mend is the gnomish temple-city of Menderton, the City of Gears and earthly seat of Mendarieon, the Configuration. It should come as no surprise that the many technological wonders found their origins here within the city’s many the universities, collages, and technical institutions. These hallowed halls of education are the most prestigious in all of Ediacara, if not the world, and are open to anyone who can make the cut.
The city is also home to the Ediacaran Central Train Station. Equal parts grand cathedral and train station, this building is one of the must see sights of the city, and of Ediacara as a whole. Trains depart and arrive all day long, bringing with them goods and people from all over the continent to this bastion of learning.
Menderton does not pay homage to any of the nations and empires across Ediacara, having maintained their neutrality for as long as anyone can remember, be that via oral traditions or ancient texts.
Population: ~300,000
Chidwell
Sitting along the banks of the Chid river, and about halfway along the main road leading through the Torverns is the town of Chidwell. The ore mined out in the mountains, and the lumber harvested from the forests, all make their way here to be loaded up onto barges and sent down the Chid towards Ulmera and Zetrea; this gives the town a modest income, and its residents a decent standard of living.
Population: ~5,000
Landmarks & Points of Interest
Mount Mord
The largest and tallest mountain in the range, Mount Mord towers over all. It is a glacial horn at the centre of the range, with its clouded peak piercing unbelievable high into the sky.
The interior of the mountain has been carved into the city of Menderton, one of the great wonders of the world.
The Chid River
One of many mighty rivers that race their way through the Torverns, the Chid is used to transport ore and lumber south towards Ulmera and Zetrea as it journeys towards the coast.
The river has an abundance of fish, and is the habitat of the twenty foot long white sturgeon.
The Rivulon Ice Field
Sitting high among the peaks of the Torverns are the enormous Rivulon Ice Fields, which act as the seed from which many of the mountain’s largest glaciers can trace their beginnings.
Rumour and legend tell of towers of ice out in the fields that are home to everything from devils, to demons, to dragons, and everything in between. There are still many mysteries hiding out in Rivulon’s endless expanse of white, but few are eager to venture out to explore them.
Ecology
This is a small sample of the more interesting creatures that roam the mountains
Roc
Rarely seen despite their massive size, the giant birds know as Rocs hunt all across the mountains. They are usually only found deep off the beaten path, gliding over hidden valleys and perching a top of unexplored peaks.
Few other creatures in the range are as large and intimidating as the Rocs, so it’s a good thing then that those who call the mountains home can live their whole lives and never encounter one up close.
Chimera
The three-headed and winged monsters known as chimera are found lurking all across the Torverns, preying on anything they can catch. It is not uncommon for the villages and towns dotted across the mountains to have chimera problems, but thankfully the beasts are loners by nature, and it is more than possible for a well organized group of townsfolk to drive the beast back.
Troll
Driven by their never ending hunger for flesh, the trolls of the Torverns are as dangerous as trolls can be. While not a common sight for most travellers, it is still recommended to always bring some acid (or someone who can cast fire magic) while travelling the roads and trails that criss cross the mountains.
Like trolls found anywhere else, they have a nasty habit of regrowing limbs and regenerating any wounds they sustain.
Peryton
Perytons are evil creatures that are a combination of a bird of prey and a stag. They flock together to hunt and torture people and animals, delighting in the pain and suffering they bring upon their prey.
While one peryton does not pose much of a threat, rarely are they found on their own, instead living in family groups of up to fifteen individuals; if you see one, it is more than likely that other members of the flock are not far behind.